DARPA-funded efforts in the development of novel brain–computer interface technologies

Abstract

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has funded innovative scientific research and technology developments in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) since the 1970s. This review highlights some of DARPA's major advances in the field of BCI, particularly those made in recent years. Two broad categories of DARPA programs are presented with respect to the ultimate goals of supporting the nation's warfighters: (1) BCI efforts aimed at restoring neural and/or behavioral function, and (2) BCI efforts aimed at improving human training and performance. The programs discussed are synergistic and complementary to one another, and, moreover, promote interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers, engineers, and clinicians. Finally, this review includes a summary of some of the remaining challenges for the field of BCI, as well as the goals of new DARPA efforts in this domain.

The future of brain-computer interfacing (keynote paper)

“…First of all, we should mention that some previous roadmaps did pay lots of attention to BCI research in the context of other than medical applications [7,8] and clearly this happened in observations on DARPA funding [13,14]. Moreover, many research projects funded by national or EU funding programs did incorporate research devoted to other than medical BCI related research issues.…”

Interfacing with the nervous system: a review of current bioelectric technologies

“…Surgical placement of FINE around the femoral trunk leads to selective activation of leg muscles, thereby aiding patients who suffer from lower trunk paralysis to stand from a sitting position [134]. Furthermore, the US Department of Defense has investigated the use of FINE in controlling neural prostheses in amputees [90]. Although FINEs have been used in several human studies without any deleterious consequences, FINEs have the potential to compress the nerve, reduce blood flow, or even cause neural damage [116].…”

Enabling a Freely Accessible Open Source Remotely Controlled Robotic Articulator with a Neuro-Inspired Control Algorithm

“…Studies have demonstrated prosthetic devices with inputs from rat brain circuits as bio-feedback controllers [18], [19]. Since 1970s, cerebellar supervised learning consisting of neural circuit models that optimally control via modulation of firing dynamics [20] have been proposed and have been used by implementing cerebellar network on VLSI chip [21].…”